axillary lipoma

An axillary lipoma is a type of benign tumor that occurs in the axilla, which is the area directly under the arm and shoulder joint. It is composed of adipose tissue and can be irregularly shaped.

According to [4], an unusual presentation of an axillary lipoma has been reported, where the tumor infiltrated multiple levels of brachial plexus. This highlights the potential for axillary lipomas to cause compression symptoms due to their location.

Axillary lipomas are generally asymptomatic and rarely grow above 10 cm in diameter [7]. However, they can occur anywhere in the body, but the common sites are subcutaneous tissue of trunk, nape of the neck, and limbs [8].

It's worth noting that axillary lipomas are rare benign tumors that predominantly occur in the subcutaneous tissue. However, intramuscular intercostal lipomas are exceedingly rare [9].

An axillary lipoma, also known as an armpit lump, can be identified by several signs and symptoms. These include:

• A soft or hard lump in the armpit area, which may feel doughy or rubbery to the touch [7]
• The lump may be small, as small as a pea, or large, as big as a golf ball [7]
• It may feel easy to move with slight finger pressure [6]

It's worth noting that axillary lipomas are usually benign and noncancerous growths of fatty tissue. They can develop anywhere on the body, but are most commonly found in the armpit area.

In some cases, an axillary lipoma may cause discomfort or pain if it grows large enough to press against surrounding nerves or muscles [8]. However, this is relatively rare and usually not a concern for most people.

If you're experiencing any unusual lumps or growths in your armpit area, it's always best to consult with a healthcare professional for proper evaluation and diagnosis.

Diagnosing Axillary Lipoma

Axillary lipomas, also known as fatty tumors in the armpit area, can be diagnosed through a combination of physical examination and imaging tests.

• Physical Examination: A healthcare provider will typically perform a physical exam to confirm the presence of a lipoma. They may touch the affected area to check for tenderness or pain.
• Imaging Tests: Imaging tests such as ultrasound, CT scans, and MRI are often used to confirm the diagnosis and rule out other conditions. These tests can help determine the size, location, and characteristics of the lipoma.

Specific Diagnostic Tests

• Ultrasound: This is a common first-line imaging test for diagnosing

Based on the provided context, it appears that there are limited options for drug treatment of axillary lipoma.

However, one study [2] mentions a subdermal Nd:YAG laser technique as a potential treatment option. This technique is used to remove lipomas from the back, but its effectiveness and safety for axillary lipomas are not specified.

Another study [5] suggests that giant lipomas can be treated with complete excision, which may involve surgical removal of the lipoma. However, this study does not specifically mention drug treatment as an option.

It's worth noting that most lipomas do not require treatment and can be left alone if they are not causing any symptoms or discomfort [3]. If a lipoma is bothering you, your provider may recommend surgical removal or liposuction to remove the lipoma [1].

In general, it seems that drug treatment is not a commonly recommended option for axillary lipomas. Surgical excision or liposuction may be considered in some cases, but more research and information are needed to determine the best course of treatment.

References:

[1] Context result 3: A lipoma isn't cancer and usually is harmless. Treatment generally isn't necessary, but if the lipoma bothers you, is painful or is growing, you may want to have it removed surgically. [2] Context result 2: Goldman A, Wollina U. Lipoma treatment with a subdermal Nd:YAG laser technique. Int J Dermatol. 2009 Nov. 48 [3] Context result 3: A lipoma isn't cancer and usually is harmless. Treatment generally isn't necessary, but if the lipoma bothers you, is painful or is growing, you may want to have it removed surgically. [5] Context result 5: by M Bashir · 2013 · Cited by 6 — The treatment for giant lipoma is complete excision and is the preferred method to avoid complications of vessel or nerve damage.

Differential Diagnosis of Axillary Lipoma

Axillary lipomas are rare, benign tumors that can be challenging to diagnose due to their similarity in appearance and location to other masses or tumors. The differential diagnosis for an axillary lipoma includes various entities such as:

• Liposarcoma: Low-grade tumors that can mimic the appearance of a lipoma on imaging studies [6].
• Neurofibroma: A type of benign nerve sheath tumor that can occur in the axilla and may be mistaken for a lipoma [4][5].
• Cysts: Fluid-filled structures that can develop in the axillary region and may be confused with a lipoma.
• Lymphoma: A type of cancer that affects the lymphatic system, which can present as an axillary mass.
• Metastatic lesions: Cancerous tumors that have spread to the axilla from other parts of the body.

It's essential to consider these differential diagnoses when evaluating an axillary lipoma, especially if the patient has a history of cancer or if the tumor is large or rapidly growing. Imaging studies such as MRI and CT scans can help differentiate between these entities [8].

References:

• [4] by TKB Lai · 2021 · Cited by 4 — This pictorial essay provides an imaging review and diagnosis of axillary lesions that arise from different anatomical structures using ...
• [5] by LZ Alsaket · 2023 — The differential diagnosis of an axillary mass includes various benign and malignant entities such as lipoma, neurofibroma, cysts, lymphoma, and metastatic ...
• [6] Differential diagnosis. In general, there is little differential for a classic soft tissue lipoma. The main differential is: liposarcoma: low-grade tumors ...
• [8] by CM Gaskin · 2004 · Cited by 404 — Differential diagnosis of benign peripheral lipoma from well-differentiated liposarcoma on MR imaging: is comparison of margins and internal characteristics ...